The growing comradeship of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after latter’s demonetisation move is said to be more due to `economic compulsions’, rather than indicating any political overtones. In the assembly session the way he defended the demonetisation scheme left even the BJP members speechless.
This has given scope for speculations that TRS is abound to join Modi’s cabinet soon and Chief Minister’s daughter K Kavitha is interested to be in the team. This has led to discomfort within the MIM, which was allaying with TRS after 2014 polls. This was reflected when its floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi wondered how KCR was inclining towards Modi, when they were supporting TRS.
Besides his apparent `closeness’ with the Prime Minister, Chief Minister has given clear indication that his priorities are different by giving a leak that his daughter would take up party’s responsibility, more than ministerial berth.
Even TRS leadership strongly denying any such shift to move close to BJP, but states presently it was needed out of compulsion. Having completed half its term, the ruling party realised its helplessness in moving fast on its several flagship programmes like double-bed room houses, Mission Bhagiradha and Mission Kakateeya for want of funds.
Though Chief Minister claimed repeatedly that Telangana is a rich state, after Gujarat in the country with surplus resources, he is failing to allot needed funds for any flagship programme, except depending upon central assistance and loans. Now fears surfacing in the party unless they shows some progress in these programmes, it would be difficult to win back public trust by 2019 polls.
Moreover, following demonetisation, there has been steep fall in the state’s revenue collections, more so in real estate and excise sectors. Added to it there has been reduction in releases from the Centre towards tax devolution. The trends shows the government is struggling hard to meet its budgetary commitment.
In the given situation, the party leadership felt it would be advantageous to be in good looks of the Prime Minister so that to get some helping hand from the Centre. However, a senior party leader said they are clear that any `political equation’ with BJP would be disastrous as that would makes them to lose Muslims, who constitute a considerable section of the population.
